Father alerts wife to death of young son only when ‘smell became too strong’

Father alerts wife to death of young son only when ‘smell became too strong’

(Photo: MGN Online)

HARRISBURG, Penn. — A Pennsylvania man was arrested Friday after his wife allegedly noticed a strong smell and subsequently discovered that their eight-year-old son had been dead for days, police said.

Jarrod Tutko Sr., 38, was the primary caretaker for his son, who was mentally disabled, FOX6Now reported. At some point last week, the boy died of unknown causes, police reported.

Tutko was aware of the death, but didn’t tell anyone until his wife noticed a strong odor of decomposition, police and the wife allege. She then called police.

There were five more children inside the home, several of whom suffer from medical conditions. All were taken into state custody.

Tutko was charged with Endangering the Welfare of Children, Concealing the Death of a Child and Abuse of a Corpse. At this time, he is not accused of directly causing his son’s death, but an investigation is ongoing.